Sleeping With Santa Read Free Page A

“Wait—what?” Old guys retire. I’m old…but not that old. “I’m not retiring.”
    “Well, that’s good, ’cause I need the help. Two guys are out on paternity leave ’til the new year. Headquarters is a little slow processing your paperwork, so you’re on limited duty for now. There’s plenty to do in-house. We’re a municipal department. Things are quiet for the most part. I need someone to handle the Training Officer slot and the Fire Marshal’s office. And we have Fire Prevention Day coming up…”
    Nick was familiar with it all. “I can do that.”
    “And the town can always use a few extra hands when it snows. The department helps whenever we can. Independent contractors get paid pretty good for plowing, not that you need the money.”
    “No problem. I’ve got a plow for my pickup. Is that all?”
    “Well, there is something else.” Maresca pulled up the vertical window shade. “See the red mailbox across the street?”
    Next to the standard blue USPS box stood a twin painted red with white lettering— NORTH POLE. He’d spotted it yesterday on his way to the liquor store where he met that cute little redhead.
    Lily.
    He and his libido had a hard time resisting the rarity of a sexy Pippi Longstocking. Too bad she looked about half his age, with the creamy complexion and youthful spray of faint freckles. Her skin lacked the fine lines he noticed creeping into his daily reflection.
    How young could she be if she was old enough to buy booze?
    Still, he didn’t dare go back to see her at the barbershop. Not after her boss waved his pointy shears in his direction.
    “If you’ll collect the letters, I’ll sort them out. I like to read them first before giving them to the Ladies Auxiliary. They give them back to the parents. Or if it’s too big of a request—like medical issues or families in crisis—the Secret Santa Society gets involved. We’ve installed wheelchair ramps for the elderly. Bought computers for kids. Paid the electric bill for out-of-work residents. That kind of stuff.”
    Nick nodded. “Sounds like a good system.”
    “It was your uncle’s idea.”
    “Well, count me in on the Secret Santa stuff. Besides money, I’m pretty handy, I can donate my time.”
    “Speaking of your time…” Maresca wavered, and Nick sensed the anvil coming. “I was hoping—since you’re new around here, and none of the kids know your face—you might be interested in playing Santa for them at the Christmas party.”
    Wham! There it was. If he agreed to play Santa, he’d probably get suckered in being the Easter Bunny, too. He fumbled for a viable reason to say no.
    “I’d do it myself,” Maresca explained, “but I had a knee replacement last year, and I’m still working out the kinks. I can’t handle all those kids.”
    Yeah, good excuse. Feeling the guilt mounting, Nick gave a silent sigh, and said, “Yes,” without flinching.
    “Good. Now that we got Santa squared away, you have a CPR class to give.”
    “Now?”
    Maresca checked his watch. “In about twenty minutes. I was gonna do it, but since you’re here…” He tore off a yellow page from the legal pad with To-Dos scribbled during their conversation and handed it to Nick as he limped around the desk. “Come on, I’ll give you the grand tour to the basement.”
    Compared to the modern Star Harbor firehouse, Scenic View’s was a relic. Faded red brick on the outside with dark wood and brass trim on the main floor inside showed its age but looked well maintained. Memorabilia from yesteryear adorned the walls. Pale photographs and shiny plaques with names of past officers glinted in two lines along the narrow hallway.
    They rode the creaky elevator down one level because Maresca’s knees couldn’t handle the stairs.
    “Where ya staying while you’re in town?”
    “My uncle’s bungalow. Thinking of making some renovations in the spring.” If it doesn’t collapse first.
    “Geez.” Maresca recoiled. “Don’t tell